Wanted man escapes

A man wanted for a series of robberies in Santa Cruz escaped police custody during a search of a taxi in which he was travelling yesterday.

Police reports revealed that around 12.15 pm on Saturday, a party of officers from the Santa Cruz Police Station led by Cpl Stephen Turner and including Ag Cpl Darrel La Pierre and PCs Gill, Bharat and Joseph were on patrol at Gaparillo Road, Santa Cruz, when they observed the suspect in the back seat of a taxi. Officers gave chase and intercepted the car a short distance away on Gasparillo Road. The man was searched and a bag containing a quantity of ammunition and marijuana were found. The suspect was ordered out of the vehicle while the search of the vehicle was taking place. Newsday learned that the man made a dash for freedom and escaped by running through some bushes. He was pursued by officers but managed to escape. A search was carried out for the suspect to no avail. The search continued yesterday. PC Bharat is investigating.